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©a McatrrriS anti Cwr^onzwirtg.
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essential toBHauiftctnring industry , to the general consumption , or to the comforts or enjoyments of the people , it wmld be well to weigh the materials which you possess before you draw such a conclusion . Sir , in the Report of the Committee which sat on the Import Duties there is evidence on the point—evidence gwen by the Hon . Gentleman the Member for Bolton , whose attention has been directed to this abject , sod who , before that Committee , and in the Report which he made on the Prussian League , on tbestite of our commercial relations with Prussia , bas given information as to the comparative consumption of the people of this country , and the consumption of the inhabitants of the Prussian States Now , let us take the great articles of consumption ^ _
and we begin by admitting that meat is dear , and that corn is dear , the great articles which constitute the sustenance of the people , and administer to their comforts . I admit that they are greatly lower in Prussia than they are here . ( Hear . ) But as I said before , it appears to me that the ime test is not by comparative lowness of price , but the command the people have over that which constitutes their comforts . Now I begin with meat , and in speaking of that , I shall take my information from a perfect ? unsuspicious source . It is from one who differs from me as to the operation of the Corn Laws , and who is a decided advocate for their repeal . ( Hear , hear . < Dr . Bowling ' s calculation with regard to meat h given in 1840 . It is the report on the Zolreriec ; he
was epeaking of a state of things in this connrrv wbere the Corn Laws had b ? en in operation for tbirrX years , and must have affected , if that were ther tendency , the comforts of the people . But what wa the report made by the Ri ^ ht Hon . Gentleman Now , wiih respect to meat , Dr . Bowring says , tba in Prussia he calculates that 14 , 000 , 000 of personconsume 485 , 000 , 006 pounds of meat ; that is attb rate of about 55 pounds annually for each person But the Hon . Gentleman Fays , that in this counrr 25 , 000 , 000 of persoas consume 502 b . of meat annually he says that it cannot be less than 50 lbs ., and it habeen estimated at double that amount . Now , I wi take it at the lowest calculation , and from that ¦< appears that the inhabitants of Prussia consume bn
S 5 pounds yearly , whereas in this country 50 pounc are- consumed annually—( hear , hear . ) Now , tal < Sugar . Observe 1 am not at all denying that seve : t distressprerails ; in many parts of the country distreprevails to a very great extent—( hear . ) I certainly cnot mean to say that the 17 , 000 persons in distresia Paisley consume so much meat or sugar . Nr at all ; 'but i » is impossible to argue the subj-c withoui drawing general inferences . You nrnlook at the whole amount , and in doing so , you mu ? Bot be taunted by the remark of , can job say , ths at Paisley and Stockport , such is the amonni ? 3 say no such thing . I admit that there there is e such consumption ; but in drawing general conclu gions with respect to legislation you have no oth < .
alternative than to deal with general aver 3 ge 3 as comprehensive results , and by that means to aseej tain upon the whole , what the consumption of ; country is . Well , now , sugar ; now , before yen dt iermine that high prices are necessarily an evil , ask you to compare the consumption of sugar i the uuTerent countries of Europe—( hear , hear . ) rely entirely upon the anibority of Dr .-Bowrinj The Hon . Gentleman says that in France the cox sumption of sugar is 4 lbs . 8 ozs . per head ; I will allo \ that is is oibs . per head , because there is certain bee root sugar , which he has not taken into his calcu-a tion , but in France he put it at the highest . The cox gumption of ^ garby each individual per ann- is 5 ib > in the states of the German League it is 41 b . ; i Europe generally it is 21 lb . The consumption ( Great Britain the Hon . Gentleman calculated at 1 lbs . per annum . I take the consumption of corn , t
thi 3 very article . —( hear , hear . ) Mr . Hume , that :. ' Mr . D-acon Hume , a gentleman whose lo ? s we nap all deplore—Mr . Hnme calculated the consumptio . of the people of this country to be one quarter t wksat for each , person . He calculated the consumj tioH of wheat to be 25 000 , 000 of quarters being 012 quarter per annum for each individual . The Hoi Gentleman ' s calculation i =, that 24 , 000 , 000 of the in habitants consumed 45 , 000 . 000 quarters of graiL that is all other kinds of grain included . Now , . beg the House to bear in mind , with reference to th article of corn , that the estimate of consumption b ; two gentlemen possessed of such mean 3 of informa tion , entertaining viewB which make the testimeir so altogether free from suspicion , is that the consumption of this country , compared with that c other countries , is one quarter of wheat for each individual . The Honourable Gentlem 3 )
make 3 tne total consumption for 24 , 000 , {; 0 ( of inhabitants , 45 . 000 , 000 quarters ef grain , which i : not very far from two quarters per head for each individual . Now , the Bon . Gentleman has given v fee consumpcion of the Prussian States . The Prus aan States contain fourteen millions of inhabitants and the consumption of those States amonnt 3 to thir teen millions of quarters of wheat . Observe , lei : than one-fourth the consumption in tbi 3 country ; bn while the Hon . Gentleman calculates the consump tion in England as one quarter of wheat per annum for each individual , according to the Hon . Gentle man ' s calcnlarion of the quarter of grain consumec by the inhabitants of the Prussian States , three fourths at least is barley or rye . ( Ministerial cheers ;
Toe Hon . Gentleman says that throughout tht Prnssian States the consumption of rye is the pro portion of three and four to one when compared to wheat . The consumption of 124 , 000 lbs ., gives us a consumptipn of 65 lbs . of wheat and 2401 bs . of rye to each individual . Thus , this 124 , 000 ^ 3 . gave an annua ' consumption of little more than one bushel of whea : to each individual in the Prussian States , insteaof one quarter of wheat , which was the consumption of Great Britain . The Hon . Gentleman says that in England ths consumptioa of tea is twelve pounds per head per annum for each individual , while in the Prussian States it is one pound . The annual consumption of salt , in die Prussion States , is 151 lbs . per head , in England , h is 22 . 03 . per head . Thr consumption of cotton goods in Prussia was four pounds and one-third for each family of five person-,
which was not naif the amount of the consumption in England . The consumption of woollen cloth k-Prussia amounts to two ells and one-sixth per head per annum . In Great Britain it is six ells and a quarter a head . It appears that the consumption of tobacco is greater in Prussia than in England . In Prussia it amounts to three lbs . per head per « j ) nnm ; in England the consumption is only one poand per head per annum . The consumption of butter is likewise greater in Prussia , amounting to 21 b . per head in that country , and lib . per head in England ; but yon must recollect that in all the great articles , in cotton , in woollfiflj in salt , in tea , in sugar , in corn , the very article which we are at this moment considering , the consumption of each individual in this country , estimat ed in ie vear 1840 , at a time when the price of
corn was exceedingly high compared with the price in Prussia , owing to the command which the labouring clases had of the necessaries and comforts cf life , the consumption far exceeded in this country the consumption in Prussia , wbere the price was less —( hear , hear . ) I do not mean to say that that , 15 any argument Bow against removing restrictions —( loud Opposition cheers ) It is no argument against giving an increased command over these articles , bat it is an argument to show that it is not &ir to gire the diminished price of food as an argument for the prosperity of that country . Information had been laid on the table as to the condition of tie labouring classes in Belgium . Now Belgium is a great manufacturing country , and is represented
aa being in a high state of prosperity . In this oocomen ; the wages of the agricultural labourer in Belgium is stated at lid . per day , those cf weavers at Is ., masens , 1 ? . 3 d ., locksmiths and carpenters I 3 . 3 d ., manufacturing labourers Is . 3 d ., miners and qnarrymen Is . 4 d ., jewellers and goldsmiths ' Is . 8 d . Snch is the rate of wages in Belgium . In the last year the market price of wheat in that country was from 51 ? . 9 d . to 53 s . per quarter . ^ Antwerp it was from 51 s . to 55 s . per quarter . Tainuj , then , the general average of the priee 3 of torn in Bel gium , and comparing them with the iffionat of wages in that country , notwithstanding its manufacturing and agricultural prosperity , it appears to me that the wages iu that country do not
give the same command over the enjoyments of life w-ich the wages received in this country do . Sir , i refer to this for the purpose of confirming mv impression that to look for any rapid or great change d tne condition of the people of this country from toy extensiTe alteration in the Corn Laws , would B&bject you to great disappointment . Mj firm belief Js—I am speaking of those who are in favour of the * p 3 olate repeal of the Corn Laws—my firm impres-Bon h , that if this House were to consent to *?» t total repeal "which is urged upon their conjuration , instead of mitigating , in the slightest degree , the manufacturing distress aow prevalent , yon would only snperadd to it the severest agricultural distress—( hear , hear . )
Any such disturbance of the agricultural interests would , in my opinion , inevitably lead to fatal results , cot merely in respect of the agriculturists , but to those other classes of society whose prosperity was identical with theirs . There Ib , however , another Portion of those who are advocates for a material alteration in the Corn Laws , who do not go ihe length of advisiDg absolute repeal of those law ? , Vat a substitution , in place of the present , of a fixed duty upon corn . With respect to these , the ground is Mrrowed which we take . They are in favour ot a axed duty on corn—they admit that the agriculturist is entitled to protection , and therefore would impose a duty invariable in amount upon the importation of foreign corn . With respect to those , it must be rettembered that whatever odium attaches to the
imposition of a variable daty , must necessarily apply , with equal force , to tbe imposition of a fixed duty . ( Cries of No , no . " ) I am sure , Sir , Honourable Gentlemen opposite do not understand me . I am not saying that the same objection applies to a fixed nttty as to a variable cue . I am only saying this , that as far as odium js attached to the imposition of any duty on tbe main subsistence of the peoplebo , to that extent , in principle , a fixed duty is equally liable to objection . ( Cries of ** hear , hear , and loud Tory cbffring . ) There may be advantages id a fixed duty . That kjfor argument—( hear , hear )
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but the argument against the imposition of any dutj whatever on the main article of subsistence applies with equal force to the fixed as to the variable duty . ( Hear . ) Both the one and the other must assume that agriculture requires protection —( Tory cheering)—either on account of the burthens which they have to bear —( cheers)—or for reasons of public policy to encourage the productions of our own soil —( hear , hear . ) Bnt on principle , it is impossible to pay that they do not rest on the same ground , and must be defended by the same arguments —( hear , hear ) In common with my colleagues , I have given this subject thefullest and most patient consideration ; and , if I could come to the conclusion that for a variable it would be better to substitute a fixedduty ,
I hope I should consider the obligations under which f act , as Minister of the Crown , " and should have ih » moral courage to avow it and to propose it to the House . But aft < r giving the fullest consideration to the principle of amendingthe law , I cannot reconcile myself to that—( ' * hear , " from the opposition . ) I do not believe we could impose an amount of a fixed duty sufficient for the protection of domestic agriculture" in years of average supply , which would at the same time determine in other years the quantity or the price that wonld be adequate to the wants of the country .. In the consideration of the question it 's necessary to ascertain what are the probabilities ! . hat this ' country can , from its own resources , supply : ts population . ( Tjry cheers . ) I am not preparea
'o admit mat this country is unable in ordinary times to supply itself . If I formed my judgment , Sir , from the quantity of corn grown during the last four year ? , 1 should be bound to admit that we were dependent on a forefgn supply for a great portion of our subsistence , bfcanse during the last four years , to state tbe-case fully and fairly , the average importation of fortigu grain was 2 300 , 000 quarters in each of those four years . And if we take the last twelve or thirteen yfar 3 we sball find that on the whole the importation of foreign corn has been very considerable , I think altogether twelve or ' thirteen millions of quarter- of foreign wheat and foreign ilour . Since -. he year 1828 , tne total amount of foreign wheat and foreign "flour e t ° red for home consumption , from
5 : h of July , 1823 , to the 5 th of July , 1841 , is 13 , 475 , 000 . quarters . ( An Hon . Member on the Opposition benches—In each year ? Tb . e Hon . Baronet explained that it was the whole amount , and proreeded . ) This I think must be admitted also , if we ake any period of ihe last ten years . We cannot ava auy iuch period of time as ten years duTinj ; vhich -we suail be quite independent of foreign ; jpp 3 y ; such a period of time cannoi leave us withut , during its progress , being under the necessity of laportiiig a . supply of foreign grain , and in that .- / ise you are not independent of foreign supply . I .- > taiu my opii . iou that it is of tbe utmost lmporisce to the permanent interests of this couniry , ha ; it should be as far as possible independent of
oreign supply . ( Hear . ) I do not mean an ab = olte and enure independence , which , 1 know , is abolutely impossible—it is perfectly imprecticablemd nothing , 1 think , can be so mischievous as to i'leiapi to pass laws which sboald have the effect of pvi ; : g such an encouragement to domestic prodnco : 3 should certainly secure us such an unqualified udepepdence . ^ This is impossible , but , speaking ; encraliy , 1 " think it is important that a country ke this , whose chief means of subsistence are de-;> ed from its supply of wheat , —I say that it is aponant that if a country 1 ke this , is obliged to e ? ort to foreigu coamries , it ov&ht to be rather or the purpose ^ of making up its deficiency , than ji drawing its constant and chief source
. 1 . subsidence . ( Hear , hear hear . ) Now , Sir , inn this interence , as I said before , from whit has » ken place during the four years ; and , looking at rt-hat had occurred , I am bound to admit that this iountry was dependant on others lor a considerable . ¦ on ion of its supply , because , as I have before - ated , the amount imported during that time has 5 ren on the a > erage 2 300 quaners a-year . But let ;? take the last ten years , and let us see what was . he average imporiauos during the first six of those ears . During the first ± ix of the last ten years , the produce of the country waa sufficient for its own -wnsumption .- During the first- six years of the last en years the average importation of corn into this otmtry smounted ouly to 137 , 000 quarters . And
• hat ha vie jj been the case during the six years of 1832 , 1833 , 1834 . 1835 , 1836 , and 1837 , it would be ¦ 00 much ,-1 think , to infer that the population had - rapidly-increased with reference to irs subsis-. ? nce , that you must altogether abandon the hope of ieriving sufficient supply from your own agriculture . Within the last tm years the population of this ountry had , of course , considerably increased ,-md , during the last four years it had been found aecessary to import foreign corn , but during the = ix years preceeaing , the average produce of the -ountry had . been sufficient for the consumption . 1 xm not prepared , therefore , to admit the conclusion , : hat thtxe must necessarily be a periodical and . jDnnsl importation of foreign corn to supply the
deficiency in this country . And therefore , Sir , in determining our duiy , we had to provide ! or periods :-f comparative abundance , as weli as for periods of comparative scarcity— ( hear ,- hear . ) Six years of good harvests m : ght again recur , during which the produce of the country would be sufficient for its own consumption . If they did recur , then I fear ' . hat the 'Sect of a fixed duty wonld be that the uuiimttsd ri ^ ht of importation , at a given amount of duty which you would always undertake to maintain m times of scarcity , would subject this country to severe distress and suffering in consequence of the = xeess of produc-:-, the fail in prices , anc in the remuneranon for labour—( hear , hear . ) Sir , it has been observed by writers of tbe highe 3 : authority ,
tnat unfavourabla and favourable seasons return in certain cycles—that you will often fiad , looking back to the produce of several years , that years of favourable harvests on the Continent have been generally found contemporaneous with favourable harvests here ; for the great producing countries of Europe are within the same parallels 0 / latitude , and are affected by the same climate ; and it will , therefore , be found that abundant or scarce harvests prevail through them all at the same time . Now where there is an abundance , the consequence of a slight addirioa ta the quantify of corn produces an effect on prices very different from the amount ef excess . Mr . Tooke , in his work on prices , bys do \ vn the principle as follows : — "It will be
f . « und that prices vary in a ratio very different from the variation of quantities , and that the d . ff-rei , ce of the ratio between quantities and prices is liable 10 a : ; er according to the nature of cs mmodities ; but more in the case of corn , probably , than in that of any other article of extensive consumption . " Air . Tooke ako makes a comparison between affective and abundant harvests in this country and tho .-e of the continent , and the conclusion he comes to is , thar it is gen rally th ? case that deficient harvests here a e accompanied by deficient harvests in the chief producing couirries of Europe , so that an abuncant harvest here i « an indication of an abundant harvest on the continent—ihear . ) While , therefore , this calculation shews what supply we
migb ; look lor from other cous tries , it al > . o shews that at a iim' 3 of unnatural depression , we m' ^ ht receive ? uch discouragimtnt to our native production ? , a 3 to make us dependent on foreign countries , a result that I > hould deplore as a great evil . ( Loud erie 3 * of " Hear , hear . ' ) It is urijed on the other side , by the advocates of a fixed duty , that the consequence- of imposing a fixed duty would be to prevent those gr-at alternations , and that although it might be difficult to maintain a fixed dnty if there were periods of some scaTCvy , yet t&at the tendency of such a law will prevent such a scarcity , ai ) d the occurrence of such a contingency , in which the difficulty would pr . ncipally consist . Now , all experience ; eems to me 10 show , that with
respect to corn , such fluctuations in produce and in price mutt be impossible to be reniedied by legislation . —( hear , hear . ) That no law that you could pa-s for the free importation r-f corn would , in case of deficient barvet-t here and on the coutineutj prevent a rise in price to such a point as to make a fix ? d duty intolerable . Take the United States , which were 10 : subject to the operation of ihe Cornlaws , and then yon will find tbe amount of fluctuation in price arising from the fluctuation of the seasons to be as great as that prevailing iu this country —( hear , hear . ) In Pxussia you will find , with respect to rye , a species of grain not afiVcted by the Corn-laws that in cocsfquence of the fluctuation of the seasons as gTeat a fluctuation in the price
of it takes place , a- - > in the price o : ' any other grain . If the fixed duty b ^ 8 s . or 10 .-., and if your anticipations , th 3 t by legislative enactments you can guard against the rising of pric-: s be not fallacious , and then prices rise to 80 or 90 shillings , I retain ihe impressions I stated in the couise of last Session , that r- ; o Government could untertake at tuch prices to enforce a fixed duty . If that be admitted , you must make some provision for its relaxation . It' you entrust the power of relaxation to the executive authority , you introduce immediately uncertainty into the operation of the law . You give a power capable of being abused , and most difficult to bu exercised ; and if thi 3 be so you destroy that confidence in the permanence of your trade which you rely on as the great encouragement of trade ; aud , therefore , with reference to a fixed duty , as applicable to the state of the country when there are low pr ices of corn , or as applicable to a state of scarcity when high prices
prevail , I have come to the conclusion , after fully considering- the subject , that it is not advisable for Parliament to alter the law and apply the principle of a fixed duty . ( Loud Ministerial cheers . ) The alteration of the law which I bball propose will proceed apon the principle of retaining a duty upon corn , varying inversely with the price of the article jnthe whole market , that is , the principle oftha existing law . The maintainance of that principle necessarily involves . the principle of the system of averages . It is -said there would be geat advantages in sweeping away altogether the system of averages . It is quite truo that it might be competent to abandon the system of averages with respect to the imposition of a duty on corn ; but you roust maintain a system of averages , because the whole of your proceedings are founded on a system of averages ; it is impossible to abolish the syetemJof averases , Jbecause % * r \ nnual
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payments are founded on the accounts of the averages . It appears that as the averages must be main * tained for the purpose of tithes , it would not be expedient to adopt any other system materially varying in principle from that for determining the duty on corn . I propose , therefore , as necessary to a varying duty , to retain a system of averages . It is the general impression throughout the country that there has been great fraud in respect of the averages—a very general impression , particularly in the agricultural districts , that there has been either great frauds practised on the averages , or that extensive combinations have been entered into for the purpose of influencing the averages , and procuring the release of corn at lower prices . In Leeds , Wakefield , and
other parts of Yorkshire , there have been great and successful combinations for the purpose of iniuencing the averages . As I said before , I am inclined to think that the apprehensions upon this subject may not be altogether without foundation , but I think that the apprehensions which have been entertained are greatly exaggerated . ( Hear , hear . ) Now , Sir , if I take tbe averages for six weeks in the year 1841—if I take tbe aggregate averages of the kingdom for the six weeks ending the Ith of August , the 15 th of August , the 20 th of August , the 27 th of August , thfc 3 rd of September , and the llth of September , the averages of the kingdom , for the whole of those six weeks , was 7 fc . Id . Now , if I exclude London altogether from the averages , the general
average would be 72 s . 8 d ., in place of 73 s . id . If I exclude the Yorkshire market , the general average for the kingdom wouid be 71 s . lid . It is probable that the raising of the price in the London market may have the effect of raising the price in the other markets . ; but as far as you can judge from the figures and returns , I think that the apprehensions that there have been very extensive frauds with respect to the averages have been , as I said before , not altogether unfounded , perhaps , but that they have been greatly exaggerated . It should be remembered that the price of corn in London waB higher than in Leeds and other parts of Yorkshire , and , therefore , they could draw no necessary inference that great fraud had been practised because the
London averages exceeded tnoae of other places . For instanoe , from the 13 th of August to the 7 th of September , in 1838 , the weekly average was 735 . The exclusion of the London market could have made no difference . In the year 1840 the aggregate average , from the 24 th of July to the 20 th of August , was 70 s . 2 d . ; the average , exclusive of the London market , was 70 s . lid ., but that difference made a great difference in the amount of duty . The duty upon the aggregate average of 70 s .. 3 d . , would have been 2 s . H . ; but the average , exclusive of the London market , would have raised the price of com up to 10 s . 8 d .
But then , as I said before , as the price of corn in London is higher than in the couutry markets , you must not infer fraud from that circumstance . But , Sir , various proposals have been made with respect to the amendment of the law as it affects averages —proposals which have received th > utmost consideration from her Majesty ' s Government . I think there will be a general agreement in this , that whatever system is devised fraud should , as far as possible , be prevented . ( Cries of " hear , hear , " from the Opposition benches . ) It is advised by some that the returns ke taken by the growers . That is a proposal which it is impossible to adopt . At present the Irish and Scotch returns of coru sold are
admitted into the averages . It would be impossible to have this course adopted , excluding the Irish and Scotch grower , aa it would have a very material effect in raising the price of corn . Sir , I must state that I think we ought to guard as far as possible against fraud ; but I do not think we ought to effect an increase of protection by any indirect operation . If any protection be requisite , make it to come direct only from the Legislature , but it would not be fair to procure indirect protection and encouragement of domestic agriculture by any
suggestion with respect to the averages , except with a view of preventing fraud . Yanous alterations in the law of the averages may be made which will have that fffeet , * hich if they are necessary for the purpose of guarding against fraud , ought , in my opinion , to be adoptea ; but for the purpose of getting any indirect protection for agriculture , I cannot be a party to the proposal of such an alteration —( hear , hear . ) It has been suggested by some that the sellers should be bound , under a penalty , to make a return of the corn sold . It is difficult to foresee what
would be the effect of requiring , under a penalty , any farmer who might sell a certain proportion of corn , to make a return of the quantity sold instead of the return made as at present . I conceive that the greatest , and only effectual , security , against fraud is to diminish the tenptation to commit if Any plan that will remove motives of self-interest will constitute a most effectual security . The proposal of her Majesty ' s Government , with respect to taking the averages , is this : —They will propose to take the averages in the present mode from the factor , or miller , or purchaser—tbe party who how , under the existing law , makeB the return each market day of the whole of the purchases he has made during the preceding week ; and upon the
whole we can see no advantage in departing from that principle , namely , of making the buyer of the corn return the amount of sales of the preceding week . Trusting to these alterations , we shall make a levy of the duty for the purposo of preventing fraud . Wo shall propose that the duty of collecting the returns shall be devolved upon the Excise . The Excise is perfectly competent to undertake it . They have officers employed in the market towns , and such officers are qualified to discharge the duty , by having similar duties to perform—enabled at the same time t « perform the duty by their general habits of bnsinew , and the responsibility they incur on account of their being public officers , giving , by their character , and that of their occupations , greater security against fraud than could be givi-n by any persons in a private capacity— ( hear . ) We propose , therefore , that when the averages have been taken , they shall be collected and transmitted by an Excise
officer . Another security which we propose to take , is to widen tha range from which the returns are to be taken . At present there are 120 towns mentioned in the Corn Act from which returns are received ; from this number of 120 many considerable markets axe excluded . We propose , therefore , not to take any discretionary power f « r the Executive to add to the number of these towms , but in the Bill which we intend to introduce we shall name several populous towns which are now extensive core markets which have hitherto beeen excluded , in the list for the averages . This , by increasing the number of places from which corn returns are to be uollectcd , we shall obtain greater security against the average being improperly influenced , while at the 6 ame time we shall gain a nearer approach to tho actual avciage price of corn , than we could hope to obtain under the former system . It was thought proper when the present law was passed to limit the towns from which returns were to be made to those of
England and Wales . I propose to continue this limitation , so that although I propose to add several towns , the towns added will all be situate in England and Wale 3 . An Hon . Member on the Opposition side—How many towns are to be added ? Sir R . Peel—I will name them all in the Bill . I propose to add those towns which have hitherto been excluded . Although we propose , therefore to prevent fraud in the taking of the averages , first , by widening the range from which the averages are ta ^ en ; and , secondly , by employiug a responsible officer , acting under the authority of a-public bca . rd to make the returns . But we more particularly rely , as a prevention of fraud , upon such an altera ion of
the duty as shall diminish the tempation to it . ( Loud cheers . ) I trust I have made myself sufficiently understood by the Ho » se as to the alterations 1 propose to introduce in the method of taking the averages —( hear , and cheers-. ) I now approach that much more important subject , in fact , few subjects can be of moro importance , the amount of the protection we propote to give to corn , the produce of this couniry , and the manner in which we propose to levy the duty . At present the House is aware the duty depends—( here there was considerable interruption , the cause of which we did not apprehend . ) Tne Right Hon . Gentleman resumed . At present the duty on corn is levied in this reaniier : —When the price is 59 s ., and under 60 s . v- --r
quarter , a duty of 27 s . is levied . It then dimiuisl es at the rate of 1 ? . of duty , with Is . increase of price , until it arrives a-t a price above 6 Ss and not above 67 f . when the duty falls 2 r . for It . rise 01 price until it reaches above 683 . Above 69 s . the duty is 16 s . 8 J . At 70 .=. per quarter the duty is 13 s . 9 d , ; at 71 s . it i » - 10 s . 8 d ., theu it falls 4 a ., aud at 7 ' 2 s . it is 6 a . 8 d . At 73 i . it is 2 s . 8 d ., and when com reaches a higher price that that per quarter the duty is Is . per quar ter . Now , Sir , the objection to this mode of regulating the duty are these : —Firci , that the reductions of duty ate so rapid , that they hold out a temptation of 16 s . id . up to the price of 70 s ., for a fraudulent operation upon the averages ; this temptation operates from 66 s . to 73 s . From 60 s . to 73 * . there is an increase of price of ISi . per quarter , bat there is a decrease of duty of 25 s . Sd , which makes an under current of 38 s . 3 d . in a single quarter of corn combining to raise the averages between those prices . This
difference between SOs . and 73 s . is an inducement to retain c * rn for the parpose of affecting the averages . At 663 . the inducement to retain corn in the hope of a rise in its price is 4 s . on account of its price , and 10 s h account of the duty , being an amount of 14 s . in the price of a quarter . Between 70 a . aud 73 s . there is a difference of 3 s . on account of price , and fe . in point of duty , being an inducement of 12 s . to retain corn at 70 s . in the hopes of its reaching 73 s . Now , it has been urged that these rapid rises in the price are injurious to the consumer , are injurious to the producer of corn , and injurious also to the revenue ; injurious to the consumer , because when corn is 66 s . and 70 s ., and when it . would be to the publio advantage to liberate it for the purpose of distribution , still , by the joint operation of an increased price and a dimi&iBheu duty folders of corn wtre induced to keep it back , notwithstandii ! gthehighpnce , inhopesofreulizingaprice upwards of 73 s . and of pouring in corn at a duty or Is The agriculturists ought tolobserve what is the effect
of a law which permits the importation of corn at 1 b . duty . la the year 1838 the total amount of wheat imported for home consumption was 1 , 728 , 000 quarters ; and of thatamonnt 1 * 261 , 000 quartern were entered at the duty of Is . In 1 * 40 the total amount of wheat entered for home consumption was 2 , 020 , 000 qaarteTB ; and of that amount 1 , 217 , 000 were taken oat at a duty of 2 s ; Id . It is not merely to the amount taken out at a duty of Is . or of 23 . * d . that we are to look ; we are also to look at the time of the year at which these duties were paid . That is a matter which it is very important we should observe . ^ In the yeat H 38 , tbe corn so taken out at a duty of Is . was taken out in the week following the 13 th of September . In the 1140 the corn
year , taken out at a duty of-& ; 8 d . was taken out on the week following the 5 rd of September . In each of those years by far the greater part of the foreign wheat was taken out at the low duty of la . or of 2 s . 8 d . _ But . it was taken out at the critical period just before the farmers in tho greater part of the counties of England had thrashed their corn for the purpose of bringing it to market- ( hear , hear . ) I here was , therefore , a sudden depression in the price of corn at that oritical period , on account of the quantity of foreign corn that was poured in at the low amount of duty , which met the British farmer in the market juat at the time he was thrashing his corn far the purpose of sale . And this told , with £ a peculiarly unfavourable effect , upon the
farmers in the North of England . As their harvest was so late , and as they were obliged to bring their corn at a late period into the market , they were peculiarly exposed to the disadvantage of having to contend with a sudden influx of corn , kept back for the purpose of being procured in the market at the lowest rate of duty which it was possible to expect , That consideration alone , it appears to me , ought to weigh with those who are the most useful advocates of protection to agriculture , and induce them to listen with favour to a modification of the existing law . Now with the permission of the House I shall proceed in the course of a few minutes to read- 'to- ' 'the House the scale of daty which we propose to apply . —( Hear .
hear . ) That scale of duty is devised with a sincere desire to afford to agriculture , and to the agricultural iuterest , ev ^ ry protection which it can legitimately claim . —( Hear . ) But ,, at the same time , it is a scale devised for the purpose , when foreign corn is required of facilitating , as far as ; possible , commercial intercourse with respect to born , and of subjecting dealings in corn to the same principles which regulate all other commercial transactions . Nothing can be more difficult than to determine the amount of protection which home produce is entitled to . Bat with respect to wheat I do riot think there would be much difficulty in determining on what would be a fair average , and a satisfactory price 10 the country at large . If w e take the averse of the prices of
wheat , the seven years' average , on which the tithe commmutation act was founded , we find that the average price of wheat was £ 6 s . Iftd . a quarter . — The average of the last ten years was 65 s lid ., but this average of ten years , includea three years during which corn was higher than I am sure any one would wish to see it again ; For myself , I should say that so far as I can judge for the agriculturist , I believe that if they oould be secured in a price somewhere betweed 54 s ; and 59 ^ . a quarter , they would not object to the admission of foreign corn . Taking the average of the seven years whioh was the basis of the Tithe Bill , and taking the average of the last ten years , but excluding the Jhree years which exhibited the extreme portion , you will find an average
of 56 ? ., which , so far as I can judge , is a fair remunerating price , which I should not Wish to see exceeded . ( Cries of "Hear , hear . " ) I cthnotsee , on the other hand , any advantage , considering the circumstances of the country , and the existing relar tions between landlord and teuaht ^ and considering the happiness of the country , I cannot , I sayisee any great advantage in any diminutioubelow that amount . I am of opinion that the variation in the pricea should be limited to some sum between these extremes . ( Hear , hear . ) But , as I said before , any calculation of this kind must be vague . The quality of land , the rents paid , and a thousand other consideration enter into the question , and therefore nothing were more vain than , in particular cases , to
determine what is a remunerationg price for Cora . ( Hoar , hear . ) The same difficulty occurs in regard ; to what shall be the rate at which foreign corn can be imported with advantage into this country . In the first place , it is necessary to ascertain the quantity ; aad in ascertaining the price of corn , the quantity must be particularly regarded . The price of wheat and the dhtahce of the country necessarily enter into the calculation , and therefore it is almost impossible to determine what is the exact price at which foreign corn can be brought into this country . I will proceed now to read the scale of daty which her Majesty ' s Government proposes to place upon corn ; We propose that when corn is under 51 s .. a duty of 20 s . shall be attached ; but in
no case shall thai duty be exceeded : when it is from ftl 8 . to 52 a , per quarter , the duty be 1 * 3 . ; we should ; hen propose to make what may be called a rest in the scale , for the purpose of applying to the three next items of prices tho uniform duty of 18 $ ., so that when corn was from 52 s . to 553 . there should be a duty of 18 s . Then from 55 s . to 56 s . a duty of 17 s . ; from 5 fis . 57 s ., 16 s . ; from .. 57 s " . to 583 ., 15 s ;; from 58 i . to 59 s ., 14 a . ; from 59 d ., to 60 s ., 13 ^ ; fro m 60 s . to 6 Is ., 12 s . ; from 61-s . to 62 s ., 119 . ; from 629 . to- . 63 ** , 10 i . ; from 63 s . to 64 s ., 9 j ; from 64 a . to 653 ., ¦ & ) , ¦ ; from 655 . to 66 s . 7 a . Then with respect to the three next items I would apply the duty of 6 s ., so that when corn is from 663 , to & 7 Si per quarter , there shall be a duty of 6- > . Wo then propose , when
corn is at from 69 i ; to 7 % a . there shall be a duty of 53 . ; from 70 i . ( to 71 s . a duty of 4 s . ; from 7 Is . to 7 " 2 s . a duty of 3 a ; from 72 s . to 73 s ; a duty of 2 a . ; from 73 s . to 74 s . a duty of Is ., and that at 75 s . the duty hall altogether vanish . —( Cheers and laughter . ) What I propose , then , is when corn in the British empire is under the price of 51 s . tho duty should never exceed 20 * . as I am , perfectly satisfied that it would be useless to tako any greater amount . The duty when the price of wheat is from B $ s . to 57 b . will be lea ., and from 60 ? . to Sis . ' , as I said before ,-12 j . I apprehend that the effect of this- seale will be to diminish the temptation to practice on the averages , and teat when the price of corn has arrived at from 60 s . to 61 s . there will be no inducement , on account
of the duty to keep back corn from the market . It must be recollected that there will bo always an inducement to a certain extent to hold back corn , tot the purpose of realising a greater profit . If the markets are rising , and there is a prospect of the price rising to 73 =., there may be a considerable inducement to hold back to take advantage of the rise . To attempt to remove altogether every inducement to'hold back would be useless ; but I trust that the proposed scale is so arranged aa to hold out no inducement ou account of the diminishing scale of duty to hold corn back from the market?—( hear . ) I onw wish to call the attention of the Honse to what has been the effect in tho articles of oats and barley , of a more practical reduction of the duty under
thi present law . In the case of wheat , the fall in tbe duty is so rapid , that it offers a temptation to hold back wheat until it shall have reached 1 such a price ; as to be admitted at the lowest scale of duty . In Barley and Gats , where the fall in the amount of duty is more gradual , the same resu'ts have not followed . Qf 3 , 513 , 000 quarters of Oats which have been imported , 248 , 000 quarters were admitted at a duty of Is . 9 a ., 695 , 000 at a duty of 3 s . 2 d , 243 , 000 at 4 s 9 d ., arid 940 , 000 at 6 s . 3 d . Such is the effect of a gradual fall ; in the duty ol Is . 6 d . I propose to apply tha same principle to wheat ; and , by applying that principle to Ayheat , I consider that there ia every prospect that wheat , like oats , will be taken out at a higher rate of duty ,
that the revenue will profit accordingly , and that the commercial an'd ' . agricultural interests will bo equally benefitted by wheat being taken out of bond when the legitimate demand requires it . ( Hear , hear . ) Sir , with respect to the other articles of graiH , I propose to adopt the proportions I find iu the existing law . The proportiens in the existing law are , that assuming the value , of whoat to be 100 s ., the value of barley is taken at 53 s ., the value of oats is taken at 403 ., and the value of rye , peas , and beans is taken at 508 . If it be assumed that at a duty of 56 s . for wheat , a dutyof 16 s ; should apply , on barley , a duty ot 9 s . ought to apply ; when oats are a . t 223 ., a duty of about 63 . 3 d . ought to apply ; when rye ^ peas , and beans , are at 32 s ., a 0
aiiiy of } g . Shd . Now J am not at all aware oi any reaei as whkij " exist for altering the proportions with respect to other kinds of grain , which we find established by the existing law ; and I propose , therefore , that in ad justing the duties applicable to other kinds of grain to existing proportions of the Corn Law should be applied . Tne schedule of duties which I will propose for those several articles of consumption will correspond with the relation of price , lu the case of foreign oats , I propose that the maximum duty should be 83 . Probably it is scarcely necessary that I should read the whole in detail , bat in the case of oats I propose i hat the maximum duty should be fa . j that it should fall with the increase of price , 7 s ., then that it should fall to is . and continue at 6 s , for the three items of price , 2 le ., 229 ., and Mi . ; that at 24 s the average price of duty should be 5 s ., that it ehottld continue to decline as the prices increased by Is .: that : the extremes of variation of
duty , should be fe :, and the duty of fa should be the minimun , aad be continued when the price of Oats Bball bo 2 f 3 . ( Hear . ) In the caBeeof Baxley , I would propose that under 26 # . the duty shall be for every quarter lls ., that being the maximum ; that between 2 « s . and 278 ., the duty should be , 103 . } : at 27 s , and under 30 s ., it Bhould continue ) at f 5 . ; that at 30 s . and 31 s . it should be 8 * ., and so on until 37 s . and upward ? , when the duty should be decreased to la . In the case of rye , peas , and beans , I propose that the same proportion should be observed ; . 1 don't think it necessary to read the scale that will apply to rye , peas , and beaas , particuiariy as it is touuded on the same principle . The law which regulates the importation of Brieish Colonial wheat ac present is to this effect : —rBr » iish Colonial wheat and flour has been imparted into this country at a duty of os ., whenever the price of British wheat is below t 7 a . When the price of British wheat exceeds 67 b .
it is then admissible at a duty of 6 s : 6 d . I -pror pose to give the same advantages to Colonial wheat , with respect to the reduction in price , as is applicable to other descriptions of grain . But , considering that the : sudden drop from 5 s . to sixpence , in consequence of the difference of oiie ahilling in price , is at variance with the principle of tho jaw which seeks to establish as equable and uniform a reduction of duty as possible , we propose to make these arratJgementB with respect to colonial wheat—that when the price of British wheat ib under 56 s . the duty upon every quarter of British colonial wheat should be 53 . ; when it is 55 ^ aud under 5 fc . th « dut y to be 43 .: and 563 . and under- 57 s . the duty to be 3 s . ; at 57 a . and under 583 , the duty to be 2 s . ; at
5 # j . and upwrrds the duty to be la . ; and this is to take away that sudden fall in the amount of duty upon colonial wheat which takes place under the the existing law , thus giving to colonial wheat the advantages in reduotion which are given to other descriptions of corn * With respect to flour , I should propose that it be admitted at the same relative scale at which wheat is admitted . I believe , Sir , I have put the Honse in full possessiohof what Her Majesty ' sGovernment intends to proposeohthis subject . If you compare thereduction in the amount of duty with the existing duty you will find that it is very considerable . To thb'ie who have appeared to think ttiat the modification , which I propose to make in the existing law ih
of no importance , I shall only say , compare my scale of duties on the admission of fareign corn with the existing scale of duties . When com is at 599 ., aud under 6 O 3 ., the duty at present is t 7 s . 8 d , When corn is between those pricea , the duty I propose is 13 ? . Whan the price of corn is at 50 s ., the existing duty is 36 s . 8 d ., increasing as the price falls ; instead of which I proposo , when corn is at 50 s . that the duty shall only be 20 s ., and that that duty shall ih 116 case be exceeded . ( Hear , hear . ) At 56 s . the existing duty is 30 s , 81 . ; the duty I propose at that price is 16 s . At 6 O 3 . the existing duty is 26 « . Id . ; the duty I propose at that price is 12 s . At 633 . the existing duty is 23 a . 8 d . ; the duty I propose is Is . At 64 $ .
the existing duty is 223 . 8 d . ; the duty I propose is 8 * At 70 ai the existing duty 16 90 ii 8 d . ; the duty I propose is 5 s . Therefore , it is impossible to deny , « n comparing the duty which I propose with that which exists at present , that it will cause a very considerable decrease of the protection which the present duty affords to the home grower , a dpcrease , however , which in my opinion can be made consistently with justice to all the interests concerned . The protection which I propose to retain , I do not retain for the especial protection of any particular class —( hear . ) Protection cannot be vindicated on that principle . ( "Hear , "from the opposition . ) The only protection which can be vindicated is that rotection which is cMsistent with the general
welfare of all classes in the country—( hear , I should not consider myself a friend to the agriculturifct if I asked for a protection with a view of propping up rents , or for the purpose of defending his interests or the interests of any particular class —( hear)—and in the proposition I now submit to the Hbuso . I totally disclaim any such intention . My belief , and the belief of my colleagues is , that it is important for this country , that it is of the highest importance to the welfare of all classes in this couutry , that you should take care that the main sources of your supply of corn , should be derived from domestic agriculture , —( hear , hear ); while we also feel that an additional price which you may pay ia effecting that object is an additional price which cannot be
viudicatsd as a , bonus or premium to agriculture , but . only on the ground of its being advantageous to the country at large . You are entitled to place such a price on foreign corn as is equivalent ^ to the special burdehs borne by the agricuHuriat , and any additional protection you give to them I am willing to admit ; can only be vindicated on the ground that it is for the interest of the country generally ; ( Hear , hear ) 1 , however , ccrtainiy do consider that it is for the interest of all classes th t we should be paying occasionally a small additional sum upon our own domestic produce , in order that we might thereby establish a security and insurance against those calamaties that would ensue , if we became altogether , or in a great part , dependent upon foreign countries for our supply . - ^ If it is the pleasure of Parliament to affirm our proposal , it will , of course , pass 1 into a law . If it be the pleasure of Parliament to reiect it , I hope stillthatjthe
question may 1 be adjusted . Whatever may be the determination of Parliament with respect to it , I shall concede by expressing my most earnest and solemn hope that the arrangement , whatever it may be , may be one most in concurrence with the permament welfare of all classes , manufacturing , commercial , and agricultral , in the country , ( The Right Honourable Baronet resumed his seat amid loud cheers . ) Lord J . Russell would make no observation this evening on the statement of the Right Hori Bart ., except to remark that they would come better prepared to the discussion if they were supplied with the list of towns ) or which the Right Hoii . Baronet proposed to collect the averages . It was indispensable that they should have this information ,, and also a statement of tho principle upon which thf selection was made . Hejioped , therefore , the Right Hon . Baronet would give the House this statement to-morrow .
Sir R . Peel would lay the list on the table on Friday . His sole principle was to select the most important towns in England and Wales , including of course , the principal market towns . On the motion that the Chairman should report progress , Mr . CoBPKN said that it was not his intention to enter into any argument on the question tonight , but he did not think it would be jnst to himself , or to his constituents , if he did not take that early opportunity of denouncing the scheme as an insult to tho suffering people . The other orders of the day were then agreed to , and the House adjourned at Eighto'Clock precisely .
Untitled Article
Briif Rules for the Government of all whs write for this Papeu . —Writ ? legibly . Muke as few erasures and interHniBations as possible . In writing naniea of persons and places be more particular than usual to make every letter distiiict and clear—also in using words not Eu ^ Jish . Write only on one side of the paper . Employ no abbreviations whatever , but write out every word in full . Adtiress communications not to any particular person , but to" The Editor . " When you hit down to write , don't be in a hurry . Consider that hurried writing makes slow printing . Renieiuher that we go to press ou Thursday ; that one side of ta « paper goes to press on Wtdnetday ; that we are obliged to go on nlling up the paper the whole
week , and that , therefore , when a load of matter comes by tae last one or two posts , it unavoidably happens that much ol it is omitted ; and that it is therefore necessary to be ptotnpt in youv coranmnications . All matters of news , reports of meetings , &c , referring to occurrences on Friday , Saturday , or Sunday , should reach us by Monday ' s poet ; such as refer to Monday ' s occurrences by Tuesday evening ' s post ; Wednesday ' s occurrences by Thursday s post ; and Thursday ' s news by Eriday morning s post , for second edition . Any devl ition fiom this ' order of supply will necessarily subji ct the matters so received to the almost certainty ufrt-j ^ ction or seri ' aus . curtail ment , arid we take no blume for it . All personal correspondence , poetry , literary
communications ; and articles of comment to be hero by Tuesday , or their chance of insertion for that week wilt be very small indeed ; if . not here by Wednesday we don't hold darsclves bound even to notice ' them ' - Finally ,. remember that we have only forty-eight columns weekly for all England , Scotland , vVales , and . Ireland ; that we have no interest in preferring \ on& town or placa to another , bscatise ours is not a local but a national paper ; that we are bound , therefore , in dealing with the masses of matter whick come to us , to hold the scales of Justice evehly ^ our first object being the promotion and enhancement , according to our own best judgment , ef the success of the great aud good cause : and our second , the distribution of oar time
and space . so as to . give least cause of complai 7 it ; that we are alike bound to this courae of ac ton fey inclination , interest , ' and ; duty ; and that , therefore , it Is useless and senseleBS for individuals to fume and fret , and think themselves ill used because theit communications may not always be inserted , ' or for societies to trouble their heads and waste their time in passing votes of censure upon us for devoting too much space to this , or too little to that , or for inserting this thing vohich they think should have been omitted , or for omitting the other thing which they think should have appeared . All
these are" matters for our consideration , and for the exercise of oar discretion end judgment , which , ¦ we tiBsute all parties , shall be always used , so fax as we are able to perceive , honestly for the public , without fear or favour to any one , and without being allowed to be turned for one inatant from its course by ill-natured snarls or bickerings . POBLic Funds—To : prevent mistakes , let it be especially noted that all monies received by our Cashier for ttie various Chartist fnnda are acknowledged by him in the column of " Notices to Conrespondente , " and that he is answerable only for the 8 unuth » ra advertised to have been re « eive < L
Bradford SHORT-TiMfe CoMMirrEE . —Their qddre » s to LordAshleyis unavoidably postponed for want of room . : ' . ' ¦¦ -: . ¦ . ' , - : " - ''•' - . " . ;¦ ¦" '¦ . " The great length at which we have givtn the Parliamentary intelligence of the week , including tht { speech \ oj [ Sir ' RobertPeelonthe Corn Laws , has necessarily excluded a large mass of Chartist notices from a variety of places . GonglSton . — the discussion , between Messrs . West and Campbell was not receivedtjll Friday morning—too late for insertion , Ssiiiqu . —Tfie notice of the "Baker ' s" meeting on \ Tuesday is emitted for the same reason . RoTHEBHiTHE . —The notice of their meeting on Tuesday is omitted ftir the same reason . ^ .
Untitled Article
The National PETiTiow . —C . WEStRAt writes : —^ " Though considerable exertions have been made by th « London Chartists to obtain signatures to the National Petition , I think there is a plan which I asr astonished they have not ere this put in practicf nanlely , by having tables , with Petition aheets on them , in some-of the principal thorpughfares of tho metropolis < where working mea pass to and from work : for instance , there are thousands of workmen pass over Blkckfriars , London , arid Westminster Bridges , between the houis of six and nine in the morning ; and I am certain that a qtuirter of g , million of signatures might be obtained at . those places alone if this plan was adopted . It is quite a common occurrence to see
petitions for the repeal of the Corn Laws laying at the corner of the Btreots for signaturea . How much more important ; is our- , object than ihat of the Plague ; therefore , should we out do them in exertions to advance our cause . ' * " Plague" Petitions —The tricks resorted to hyih * Plague to obtain sifftialures to their humbug petitions are really amusing . Not a week passe * that toe do not receivefrom various partsoflht country information : of ihe mest disgraceful exhibitions of : low ; cunning . Children of ten « r eleven " years of age who can write are ¦ sloppc ; ^_ ; they go along the streets by the fellows who st ^ u withanti-Corn Law peiitionsfor siyndturex , anal asked to write their names . Men are appointed
to stand m yariot' 4 parts of large towns with tables and petition-sheets , and other men are employed to perambulate ihe town , signing at every table .: Several petitions are got tip from the same place ; siyiied by ike" same persons in different , pretended capacities . Thus a cor " respondent ^ from Castle DouglaS i this wetb writes us;— - . ¦ : ' . . ' : . . ' : ¦'; . ; ¦«« One of our dissenting clergy , last Sabbath evening , after he had turned his sanctified face to Heaven , and called down the best blessing of God upon the head ef our Sovereign the Queen , the Koyai Consort , and , their two infant children , the hope or " this great . nation ; and that they might long be spared to " reiirn . that we might enjoy the many at
privileges under : ¦ . them that we nr ^ present in possession , of , said that he wanted a repeal of the . Corn Laws , and that it was his intention to get up what he called a congregational petition for the miniater , elders , and hearers , and he intended to go at the head of it , and it would be found « . t tha church every night for a week to append signatures . He also intimated that it was the intention of some of the respectable members of our town to get up wfeafc he called a town petition , Which he intended to go at the head of also ; and that it wonld be found at a certain shop on the way from the church ; tbe same is the house of oiie of the elders in connection with the same church . " Leicester CHAHr / STs . —Ai-L Saints Otes . —Ws
cannot publish their address to Mr . O'Higginsnot because -we object to its spirit or sentiment ; but because Uconlaxnx some expressions which might compromise the National Charter Association as a legal body . ; : ¦' ¦ -. H . D . Griffiths must etcuse us—we have no room * His letter of last tneek was received .. W . H . MoRRiSH writes under a gross misapprehension ; Mr . W . Leigh and Mf . F . R . Lees are two qiiitti different persons .. ••' Chakles S > TM . vf&&T . *—CqmpbeWs pamphlet is out qf . ' ' print . . ¦ ' ' ; " " ¦ ¦ - ¦ ¦¦ ' . ¦ ' ' •'¦ ¦ " ¦ ' . . - ¦ . ¦ Dennis M'Millan . — We do not think the " creepers * can do much harm . j . M . Leicester . — The National Charter Association
has no " ' sections , " old or new— : no branches or divisions :- tHs one body ; and we wi * h its mem ' bers would lenmto breathe one spirit . : The Ipswich Chartists are desirous to ascertain from Mr . O'Connor if he at all cohterriplates visiting their part of the country t They would feel greatly indebted if he would forward afeui ¦¦ ¦ ¦ lines . ' ; ' ¦• ¦' , - , \ . \ -V .. .. - . - : . ' ¦ , ¦ : ., ¦ - ' ¦ ' : ' . - ' . '' Scotch objecttons to the National Petition . George 1 Ash ' well , in reply to Mr . J . Duncan , denies that any man can be a conscientious Chartist , and support the Neio Poor Law : ho denies the right- of any man claiming to be a Chartist to p !> ject . to tie petition on the ground of its reciting certain things as grievances unless he be prepared to prove that they are not
grievances . ...... . " W . Daniells . has our thanks for his watchfulness . We have laid the" wee thing" by for a future time , "if need be . " ' . ¦ W . Qm * v \ Ji . ^ The extract from his American frie / id ' s letter ; must stand over for the present . Will he write and tell us us what trade his friend ¦ ¦ ¦ is ? ¦ ; ¦ •' . ¦ . . ¦ ¦ ¦ . ¦ ; ' ¦ ¦ . ¦ ¦ ' .. - . . ¦ : . ¦¦ ¦¦ ' :: : " ' : Ii > W . —We should say " no ' " but he must remember 1 we do not profess to give legal opinions . Hanley Potteries . ^ —— have no recollection oj having received their council nominations . It
may very probably have got mislaid unseen . .. Will the officers of any well regulated co operative Storetransmit their laws , pei-post , if hot ' so large as to be very expensivey to John Wall , 2 i rCur' . " rant-street , Nottingham , and he will send postofficettamps to'cover the expence . J . H . Longmbad , Truro , will oblige vs by tenting only on one side of Ms paper . We thought aU our Correspondents had underiiood this . Public Chartist Challenge to Sidney Smith , the Great Lion of the London anti Corh Law Association . —Mr . H . Lngh hereby challenges Sidney Smith to discuss the question df-the Corn Laws with him , at the : Theatre of' . the Literary Institution , Prince's ^ streel , Leicestersquare , or any other suitable public place ¦ Mr . II . Leigh will undertake to defray the expence * of the meeting , including , printing , & * e . presided
Mr . Smith will accept this challenge . Edmund Fallows , Middleton .- —His . Paper was sent as usual from this office . James Brown ; Lynn , has sent , us a notice of the death of a " young patriot" without either giving ' , us his name , or the names of his parents . John Hodgson . — 'We really know riot how to advise - ' : in the . case . It is all nonsense to talk of the poor having the protection of the law in this country ; they havi no such thing . There is no doubt that , if satisfactory 1 vidence of the short weight could be adduced , the scoundrel is liable to an action ; but that , ice apprehend , would be found , to a poor man , " a remedy worse than the disease . " We think the opinion , and advice- of th * magistrate , under all the circusiances , the best that ciuld' b « given . Leave the rascal's shop . Expose himm the neighbourhood , and let him be taiight by an
ewp i ytill that honesty is the best policiff A Real Dkmoc ! iat , Manchester . —Thanks for the paragraph fmm the Guardian , which we had not seen . We shaft ' g \ vritwith azrorrt or two , Charles M'f / WBN . — We-have received . \ another copyof the le lc rs . to which we refused insertmn fast week . It isrejected' for ( he same reason as [ before . . T . Walker ' s voiict of a R > $ . eat Bermoudieyts an advertisement . : ; James Simmons and J . Barber .- —The tables of vrages are thankfully received . \ We shall use ¦ thetn . ¦'¦ ' -. ¦ - . ¦ ¦¦ ¦ . " ' ' ¦ ¦ ¦ : ¦ ¦¦• ¦ ¦'¦ ¦ . . ; ' - : . , John Mason and Ojchers , Embsay . — We have received the copy of their letter to tMr . Knowles : it cannot appear . :
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Newcastleon-Tyne . —^ Those persons received their Papers from Mr . Ciirruthers can have their Plates and Bledals by ^ applying to ; Messrs . France and Co . Their names will be entered on application ; Messrs . France and Co . will send us a list ; and the Plates to tLenumfeer of applicationa wilJ be forwarded . Parties are requested to « all early , as it will be incyuvenient if tvvo pttrcels hay « to be sent . - ¦ ' ¦ . - . - : ¦ - . ¦ . : - ¦• . ¦' . - ¦ : ; '¦ ¦' - ¦¦ ¦ : ¦ John Murdoch , Castxe Douglas—The paper was sent ai the proper time : the Plates ware not sent till after . We never send Platesi to the fost-ouice on Thursdays : or Fridays , because , from the large
quantitfea of newspapers going through the posteffice on these * ays , the Plates would be in great danger of being spoiled . : Vyrite to Mr , Campbell , 18 , Adderley-street , Shaw ' s Brow , Manehestt-ri for the Cards . Tu 6 jias 4 bbottV Manchester . —He is mistaten . be had better refer to the advertisement again , and write to the proper parties . ' Has Ms . Autuur received two letters from Mr . ¦ Sltillithorn , Back-strefct , MaTyport ? P . W . - ^ " Revolution of Philosophy" is out of print , ¦ .- and . cannot jbe tad , ¦ Henry Jones , London . —If the Stamps were received the Portrait was sent , THE Females ¦ at Perth do not say vrhtfc the fa * ¦¦ sent is for , \ - . ' ¦• ' ¦ ¦ . .-. ' _ '' EOR THE EXECUTIVE . ¦ ¦ . : ¦ -: . : -:. - - - ' .. :.:. ; ¦' : ¦ £ ; a . < l From a few friends at Ledvory ... 0 10 6 « the New , Town Glass of the National Charter Association , . Bishepwearmouth ... ; . ... . 0 10 6 First profits from Smith ' s blacking , ; Plymouth ... ....... 0 2 « FOR MRS . FBOST ^ -THE «' W « IG-MAPE WIDOW . " From H . Manly , Jehn-streeb , PrjpooCHull ... ' ... -.- " ;„; . 0 0 C | ; « the Chartist' Association , Newport , rsle of Wight ; .: ... 2 0 » « . Mr . W . Kenyon , Preston , per G . Halton . ; . ... : ; .. 0 0 « « Ryde , Isle < ot Wight , by J ; TV . - ' ; . ' Butler ... ' ^ .... ; - . : ¦ ¦ . ... " ¦ ...:: ¦ 0 :-. f 5 . ; : . „ Worebio' Common and Aidsley , per Peter Hoey i .. „; 0 ; 5 6 ^ JOa MRS . JONKS AND MRS . ZBfHANIAH ;¦ .- ¦¦ . ¦ , ¦ / . : ' ¦ " : .: ¦ WILLIAMS .- " . ' ;; > - V" :. \ ' - ¦ ¦ ' : From the New Town Class of the : National Charter Association , Bisbopwearmouta , i . ... # 10 .- '•« . Ardsioy , perP . Hoey ... ... 0 2 0 FOB . THE VCSE -OF THE DELEGATE FUND FOB x > E \ 6 i > siiyB ^ , ^ c . ; . " ¦ ¦ ¦ '¦" .. " . From the Chartists of Southmolton 0 10 0 FOR G . BLACK , WHO LOST IUS PURSE . From Pljinoutb , per S . Smitli ... 0 8 «
©A Mcatrrris Anti Cwr^Onzwirtg.
© a McatrrriS anti Cwr ^ onzwirtg .
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- ¦ Tlj NOR THE Ry STAR , .,..- 5
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 12, 1842, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct417/page/5/
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